Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

President Tsai Ing-wen delivered remarks at the Agricultural Finance Conference via video on the morning of September 8, where she stated that the government has set up a system of four major benefits to provide more comprehensive safeguards for farmers' rights. The president said that in the future, we will continue to actively promote the internationalization of Taiwan's agricultural sector and create a national-level agricultural export team. President Tsai expressed confidence that through cooperation with Taiwanese businesspeople based around the world, we can continue to expand into new countries and markets to open up more agricultural export opportunities. The president also encouraged the agricultural and fisheries industries to adopt smart technologies and circular economy approaches, and continue to upgrade and transform the agricultural sector. A translation of President Tsai's remarks follows: We have implemented many important agricultural policies over the past few years, as we look to provide more comprehensive safeguards for farmers' rights and develop more sustainable agricultural industries in Taiwan. To ensure that farmers' rights are protected, we have established a system of four major benefits, which includes expanded health insurance, occupational injury coverage, and agricultural insurance. This also includes a farmers' pension system that was officially launched on January 1 this year. Now farmers finally have the same retirement protection as other professions.  In response to the threat of severe agricultural losses due to extreme weather, we have developed agricultural insurance. By the end of July this year, we identified 25 products and established 38 insurance policies. Now, 114,000 hectares are insured for a total of NT$26.3 billion, and these efforts will continue into the future. More and more young people with fresh ideas are also returning to their hometowns, using their expertise and creativity to inspire new developments in agriculture. Through loans for young people establishing agricultural businesses that provide support and extra benefits, we hope to give more people more resources to spur progress in rural areas. Going forward, we will continue to actively promote the internationalization of Taiwan's agricultural sector, and create a national-level agricultural export team. We also encourage venture capital investments in all types of agriculture, and will invest resources in cold chains, processing, and logistics to promote continuous improvement. I am confident that through collaborating with Taiwanese businesspeople based around the world, we can continue to expand into new countries and new markets to open up more export opportunities for our agricultural sector. We also hope to encourage the agriculture and fisheries industries to adopt smart technologies and circular economy approaches, and continue to upgrade and transform their operations. All of these important issues will be covered at today's conference. I am sure that your discussions here will spur even more constructive ideas, and hope you will all continue to share your insights on agricultural finance policies. Let's all work together. Thank you.

During remarks regarding international trade issued in the Presidential Office Building Entrance Hall today, President Tsai Ing-wen said that she has instructed the relevant ministries to set permissible ractopamine residue levels for imported pork and ease restrictions on the import of beef from US cattle aged 30 months or older based on the prerequisite of ensuring the health of our citizens, and in accordance with scientific evidence and international standards. President Tsai emphasized that the government, following comprehensive assessment, has concluded that further easing restrictions at this point on imports of beef and pork from the US is a decision that is consistent with our overall national interests and future strategic development goals. It is also a decision that promotes Taiwan-US relations, satisfies food safety standards, and ensures that the incomes of pig farmers are not adversely affected. The government, she said, will implement stringent safety controls, strengthen quarantine and inspection procedures for imported meat products, and implement food product labeling regulations. She also asked everyone to take this courageous step forward together so that the nation can move toward a better future.   A translation of the president's remarks follows: Today, we want to make a key decision for Taiwan to resolve a long-standing issue. Regarding importing beef and pork from the United States, after rigorous assessments over the past few years, I have already instructed the relevant ministries, based on the prerequisite of ensuring the health of our citizens, and in accordance with scientific evidence, and international standards to set permissible ractopamine residue levels for imported pork, and ease restrictions on the import of beef from US cattle aged 30 months or older. This decision is based on our national economic interests and consistent with our overall strategic goals for the future. Taiwan's economy now stands at a historical turning point. We must take advantage of this strategic opportunity to push past obstacles, find a viable path forward, and embrace new global economic circumstances. As we know, the US-China trade dispute and the current pandemic have brought structural changes to the global economy, and accelerated and expanded the realignment of global supply chains. Facing these major economic changes, Taiwan has undertaken vigorous economic reforms and responded appropriately to control the pandemic. We have therefore not just held steady, but our economic growth rate is once again number one amongst the Four Asian Tigers. The domestic stock market has also hit a new historical high. At the same time, we have welcomed the largest wave of return investments by domestic firms in decades. More and more multinational enterprises see potential in Taiwan and have increased their investments. Taiwan's economy has transformed and we are embracing the opportunities of the future.  Moving forward, Taiwan must become a critical force in the realignment of global supply chains. We have to accelerate the formation of links with economies around the world, and particularly forge a closer bond with our strongest strategic partner and global economic leader, the US. Taiwan is a significant and critical trade partner of the US, and Taiwan and American businesses have close cooperative relationships. But it is undeniable that our relevant regulations, which are not yet in line with international norms, have become an obstacle to furthering Taiwan-US economic cooperation. I trust that if we can take this key step regarding US beef and pork issues, it will be an important starting point for more comprehensive Taiwan-US economic cooperation. In the future, we can develop a more dynamic and vigorous economic and trade strategy. For industries, especially traditional industries, that have been impacted over the past two years by the US-China trade conflict and the pandemic, this is an important opportunity. Today's decision is also one that can strengthen Taiwan's relationship with the US. Former Presidents Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou made commitments to the US with respect to resolving US beef and pork import issues. Although both presidents made great efforts under the circumstances they were faced with, they were only able to resolve part of this issue. This caused the international community to question the Taiwan government's ability to resolve problems. The level of trust in our ability to conduct trade negotiations has also been questioned. This not only impacted Taiwan-US trade relations, but has also caused other nations to have doubts about Taiwan's participation in regional trade agreements like the CPTPP, and question our commitment to resolving difficult trade issues. At this very moment, Taiwan-US relations are at their strongest level in decades. Ranging from Congress to the US business community, there are clear expectations of building deeper economic and trade ties with Taiwan, which includes the potential of a Taiwan-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA). This is an ideal opportunity for Taiwan's economic and trade development. However, we must display the commitment to both facing up to and resolving issues. Of course, we know that we still have a way to go before negotiating and signing a trade agreement. But a precondition for negotiations is to rationally manage trade issues, and open up to other countries on a mutual basis, based on the same international standards. Today's decision also complies with international food sanitation standards. The government is responsible for ensuring that all foodstuffs in the marketplace comply with national food sanitation standards. On that point, we will not make any compromises or concessions. Before 2012, there were no international regulatory standards for ractopamine levels. Concerns had also been raised about US beef due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). We did at one stage have reservations about the importation of beef and pork containing ractopamine. In July 2012, however, following the drafting of international standards and subsequent risk assessments, greater scientific consensus has emerged. The Democratic Progressive Party, the opposition party at the time, therefore adjusted its stance to that, and with the protection of public health as a prerequisite, the government should establish regulations for imported foodstuffs based on scientific evidence and international standards. That was the position I took during the 2016 presidential election. We have not changed this principle, nor have we compromised. However, circumstances have changed. Previously unfulfilled conditions have gradually been met, which gives us the space to decide to further open the market. The first factor is that there is sufficient risk assessment data regarding ractopamine, and ample scientific evidence has accumulated over time. Since we opened the market in 2012, US beef has not created any food safety issues in Taiwan, while consumption of US beef by our citizens has grown significantly. Neighboring countries including Japan, Korea, and Singapore have all opened up to imports of pork containing small amounts of ractopamine. The government agencies in Taiwan also conducted health risk assessments of pork and beef products containing ractopamine in 2012, and 2019. Their findings all showed that there is no health safety risk when ractopamine levels are below the limit set by Codex Alimentarius. In addition, since 2013, the US has been listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as having "negligible risk" for BSE. Similarly, in 2019 the Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted a rigorous risk assessment and also concluded that there is no safety risk. However, the government is very aware that people take food safety seriously. Regarding future imports of US beef and pork, I guarantee that the government will implement stringent safety controls. We will strengthen quarantine and inspection procedures for imported meat products. We will implement food product labeling regulations, indicating country of origin and providing consumers with sufficient information to make choices. All food product vendors, from those selling non-packaged and packaged foods, to retail markets, restaurants, and boxed-meal businesses, will have to provide consumers with comprehensive information about their products to ensure food safety. Today's decision will also ensure that Taiwan's pig farmers will not be negatively impacted. Please rest assured that the government will not sacrifice the rights and interests of Taiwan's pig farmers. I know there will be concerns that Taiwan's domestic pig farming industry could be impacted after US pork imports are permitted. I would like to remind everyone that, although we permitted pork importation at an earlier phase, currently domestic pork consumption is primarily from domestic sources. Imported pork accounts for only 10%, with Canada and Spain as the largest exporters to Taiwan, so the market share for US pork remains low. This shows that the previous phase of opening the market to US pork did not have a major impact on the industry. In addition, over the last few years, we have proactively bolstered our pig farming industry. This year we accomplished something that every government of the last 24 years could not. Aside from having Taiwan removed from the list of zones with foot and mouth disease, we also successfully blocked the transmission of African swine fever into Taiwan, making Taiwanese pork eligible for export. Domestic pork has a 90% market share in Taiwan and is becoming increasingly competitive. However, we will still go ahead and establish a NT$10 billion "Pig Farming Industry Fund" to ensure that pig farming livelihoods are not affected. We will also work to make our pig farming industry more competitive, allowing Taiwan's pig farming industry to reach new milestones following our success in stopping foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. Currently, our pork can be exported to Singapore and Macau. Moving forward we will do our utmost to enter other markets, allowing our pork to be sold around the world and making our pork industry more internationally competitive. With regard to the importing of beef and pork from the United States, in terms of food safety, our principles for permitting importation are scientific evidence, international standards, and clear labelling. In terms of industry, our goals are to guarantee pig farmers' incomes, make the domestic pork export industry more competitive, and open up to the international market. In the Executive Yuan press conference that will take place shortly, officials from the responsible ministries will explain concrete details and relevant measures to everyone. Finally, I want to once again emphasize that we have conducted a comprehensive assessment and concluded that further easing restrictions at this point on imports of beef and pork from the US is a decision that is consistent with our overall national interests and our strategic development goals. It is a decision that promotes Taiwan-US relations, satisfies food safety standards, and ensures that the incomes of pig farmers are not adversely affected. This marks an opportunity for Taiwan to move forward in engaging with the international community. We have made this decision and I hope that everyone can stand together with us to take this courageous step forward. Our nation will certainly stride toward a better future.

President Tsai Ing-wen, currently traveling overseas on her Journey of Freedom, Democracy, and Sustainability, inspected operations at a banana export collection center in St. Lucia on the afternoon of July 17 local time (early morning of July 18 Taipei time). The president took part in quality control operations alongside local farmers, affirming agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and St. Lucia through concrete action. After arriving at the export collection center, President Tsai first received a briefing from the head of the Taiwan Technical Mission in St. Lucia, Mr. Cheng Shih-lung (鄭仕隆), on the results of the Taiwan ICDF Banana Productivity Improvement Project in St. Lucia. Minister for Agriculture Ezechiel Joseph then delivered remarks in which he thanked the Taiwan government and technical mission for introducing new technologies to complement traditional domestic banana cultivation techniques and improve St. Lucia's agriculture. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet personally accompanied President Tsai to a banana inspection and quarantine area to hear a briefing from Minister Joseph on the center's quality control operations. The two leaders of state joined local farmers in quality control procedures by sealing and signing boxes. While posing for a group photo, the president staught the prime minister how to say "great job" in Taiwanese. Everyone enjoyed themselves in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Bananas are a key cash crop for St. Lucia, which is why Taiwan has carried out a Banana Black Sigatoka Disease Prevention and Treatment Project there since 2012. This project has effectively helped St. Lucia control black Sigatoka disease, and in 2019, a Banana Productivity Improvement Project was also launched in St. Lucia. Taiwan has much experience exporting bananas, and is tapping into that experience to help improve St. Lucia's banana cultivation infrastructure, control diseases and pests that affect bananas, enhance production management techniques, and provide guidance on how to obtain GLOBALG.A.P. certification. By increasing the export competitiveness of their bananas, St. Lucia became the only country in the eastern Caribbean that exports bananas to the United Kingdom and the European market. Before leaving the export collection center, President Tsai fielded questions from reporters. Asked about a recent op-ed in which former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on Europe to defend democratic Taiwan, President Tsai stated that we are, of course, very grateful to international friends who care about democracy, freedom, and human rights in Taiwan, and speak out on our behalf. She expressed confidence that more and more people will take an interest in the development of democracy in Taiwan, as well as Taiwan's right to choose its own way of life and what kind of future it wants. We further hope, she said, that our citizens will value Taiwan's democracy and freedom, for we all bear a shared responsibility to pass freedom and democracy on to future generations. Commenting on Internet reports that the government donated more funds to Haiti's power grid than it did for dengue fever control in Taiwan, President Tsai pointed out that Taiwan's support for the Haitian power grid project was in the form of a loan, and it was a commercial loan. As for the Kaohsiung City Government's budget proposal for dengue fever control, the president stated: "Fifty million NT dollars is 50 million NT dollars. That 50 million didn't become just 20 million. We feel that someone has deliberately spread false information, so we've reported this matter to the police."

President Tsai Ing-wen's series of state visits under the "Oceans of Democracy" theme continued on the afternoon of March 25 as she attended the inauguration ceremony for the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center in Nauru set up by the Taiwan Technical Mission. The president applauded the technical mission for bringing Taiwan's agricultural technologies to Nauru and achieving great things, and hopes to see our technical missions continue to share Taiwan's experience in food and agricultural education with our friends so we can develop and move forward together.    The inauguration ceremony kicked off with President Tsai and President Baron Waqa jointly announcing the official opening of the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center. The technical mission leader, Lee Yi-long (李宜龍), then explained the mission's farm management concepts and results. In remarks, President Tsai said the inauguration of the Taiwan Agriculture and Livestock Education Center marked a new step forward in the cooperation between Taiwan and Nauru. She was very pleased to witness this important moment alongside President Waqa and our partners from the technical mission. President Tsai went on to say that Taiwan attaches great importance to food and agriculture education. In addition to launching extension projects, our government has also passed legislation on food and agriculture education. With the establishment of this center, she said, we can now share our food and agriculture education experience with our friends, allowing us to develop and move forward together. Looking ahead, President Tsai said this important work will depend on the efforts of colleagues from the Taiwan Technical Mission. Over the years, she said, they have achieved many successes by bringing Taiwanese agricultural technologies to Nauru. In addition to passing on farming skills, they have helped provide a more varied diet, improving people's health and deepening our nations' friendship. Before setting out on every state visit, President Tsai said, she has always told Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) that we must visit local Taiwan Technical Missions. And of course, those visits aren't just about listening to briefings. She always hopes to give mission colleagues—people on the diplomatic frontline—as much encouragement as she can. Last year, the president said, with the expertise and hard work of those at our Taiwan Technical Missions in mind, she asked Foreign Minister Wu to look into improving their benefits so we can take care of our colleagues, as well as ensure we can retain talent. Starting from last year, the president emphasized, the subsidies provided to technical mission personnel for housing and children's education have been brought into line with staff from other government units posted overseas, giving more support to those toiling far from home. President Tsai then noted that the technical mission leader, Lee Yi-long, and his girlfriend, Huang Mei-chun (黃美君), met while serving together on the technical mission, and that Mei-chun was also part of the delegation on this trip. The president noted that having just heard Mr. Lee's briefing, she got a very favorable impression of him, and since technical mission personnel are getting better benefits and higher salaries, the couple can really think about their future together. President Tsai then noted that every time she goes abroad, the achievements that stem from the hard work of the Taiwan Technical Missions always make a deep impression on her. On behalf of everyone from Taiwan, she thanked the technical mission personnel for their contributions. She also thanked President Waqa, as the Nauru government not only provides accommodation for those personnel, but also fully supports and assists our bilateral cooperation projects. President Tsai then emphasized that as Taiwan and Nauru take the next step forward together, she looks forward to seeing the cooperation between our two countries yielding even more new developments and accomplishments. President Tsai then inspected the Technical Mission's egg production and vegetable farm, and learned about their mushroom cultivation project. She then attended the graduation showcase for a women's cooking class, where she enjoyed afternoon tea with members of the mission. With President Tsai, President Waqa, and Foreign Minister Wu present as witnesses, Mission Leader Lee Yi-long proposed to Mei-chun. She accepted his proposal, and the warm and emotional moment garnered the well-wishes of all present. President Tsai then said that Yi-long and Mei-chun's story tells us that no matter the distance between Taiwan and Nauru, we are sure to create positive results, whether in diplomacy or marriage. Earlier in the day, President Tsai was accompanied to the Naoero Museum by Presidential Counsel Peter Jacob and Government Information Office and Naoero Museum Director Joanna Olsson. The president also offered encouragement to the volunteer orthopedics team from Taiwan's Taichung Veterans General Hospital, thanking them for their devotion to furthering medical cooperation between Taiwan and Nauru. Among those attending the event from Nauru were President Waqa and his wife, several cabinet ministers, and Nauru Ambassador to the ROC (Taiwan) Chitra Jeremiah. Representing Taiwan were Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), other delegation members, and Ambassador to Nauru Chow Chin-fa (周進發).

President Tsai Ing-wen inspected the Taiwan Technical Mission in Palau as part of her Oceans of Democracy state visits on the morning of March 22 local time (morning of March 22 Taipei time). She praised the Technical Mission's dedication to the partnership between Taiwan and Palau, saying that their top-notch agricultural technologies are showing the world Taiwan's strengths, and they are the pride of Taiwan. In remarks, the president stated that on every trip abroad, she makes a point of visiting our Technical Missions. The point of these visits is not to hear progress reports, but to encourage our technicians working on the frontlines of diplomacy. Their work far from home has brought Taiwan’s technologies to our allies, making a number of good friends in the process. Their work and achievements are a testament to Taiwan’s friendship, she said. The president pointed out that our Technical Mission in Palau predates our embassy, as the Mission arrived in Palau in 1985. The stable friendship Taiwan and Palau enjoy today is in no small part due to their endeavors. President Tsai mentioned that the team is using technical cooperation to overcome land limitations, contributing greatly to food security and more varied diets here. This year, following up on the success they have had with papayas and dragon fruit, they are introducing tropical fruits like mango, wax apple, and lychee, and she expressed hope that they will thrive in Palau. The president said that Palau is a globally renowned tourism destination with many stellar hotels. She expressed hope that through their work, Taiwan’s fruits will become staples in hotels throughout Palau. We hope that in addition to giving the people of Palau the chance to enjoy it, travelers from all over the world will be able to enjoy delicious fruit that came from Taiwan and is produced in Palau. In closing, the president said that sharing our top-notch agricultural technologies is the best way for us to show the world Taiwan's strengths. She again thanked the Technical Mission members for all their hard work, and said that they are the pride of Taiwan. President Tsai then asked Taiwan Technical Mission in Palau Chief Pang-chi Yang (楊邦棋) to introduce each of the mission members individually, and each member shared their experiences and thoughts on working in Palau. The president then took a walking tour of the fruit and vegetable garden, where she heard reports in an area cultivating dragonfruit, as well as areas growing guava, calamondin oranges, and wax apples from Taiwan, and she personally picked and tasted a cantaloupe. The president then was accompanied by Minister of State Faustina Rehuher-Marugg to the Palau Old Age Center, where she wove a traditional Palauan placemat using pandan leaves under the guidance of a professional female weaver. She also accepted a handbag woven from pandan leaves as a gift. In response to media questions regarding statements made by the WHO spokesperson stating that without a "cross-strait understanding" Taiwan would not receive an entrance ticket to the WHA, the president stated that health is both a human right and a universal value. Beijing has no reason to exclude Taiwan from the WHO and WHA, or the global health system as a whole. The 23 million people of Taiwan's right to health cannot be neglected, nor should it be erased. Taiwan's absence is truly a loss to the entire international health system. Taiwan can do more, and can contribute more. Our medical collaborations with our allies have all produced meaningful, substantive results, and we will continue to fight to join the WHA and WHO. In response to media questions regarding China's opposition to the delegation's transit stop in Hawaii, President Tsai stated that Beijing opposes everything, saying, "When you go see a friend, do you ask your neighbor's permission first?" Also in attendance were Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-Chung (陳時中), Council of Indigenous Peoples Minister Icyang Parod (夷將‧拔路兒), and ROC Ambassador to Palau Wallace M.G. Chow (周民淦).  

On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions.  However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods:  1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age.  4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.